LearnWake

OK, in this video we will go over a simple trick to setting the axis on your heelside backside 360's. Since backside spins start first with a handle pass it is important that your body is in the proper position to resist the pull of the boat or you can get pulled off axis as you leave the wake. For Frontside 360's you have the opportunity to set the axis during the first 180 which requires no handle pass while backside 360's you have to pass the handle while you set the axis as you leave the wake. During backside 360's riders often start spinning first with their upper bodies and this leaves the rider too upright and the board trailing in the rotation. If the rider is too upright and the board gets behind it will cause you to fall out the front as you come around for the landing. By learning a simple backside air or backside shifty before attempting or returning to your backside 360's you can easily engrave the proper timing and axis but also position your body properly for the handle pass, the last 180 and the landing of the backside 360.

A simple backside air or backside shifty positions the board closest to the boat while your upper body leans away from the boat. This creates good resistance towards the beginning of the 360 so you aren't pulled over towards the finish of the spin. At the same time this lean is your axis for spinning the 360. To do a backside air you just move the handle just like you would do for a backside slide on the surface of the water. The only difference is that you would bring your heels up for the backside air. Bringing your heels up is a key part in getting your body to lean away from the boat. If you just move the handle and spin the board backside without bringing your heels up you will be too upright and the boats movement forward will pull you over as you spin.

Before attempting a backside air during a wake jump slow the boat down and do a few simple backside slides just so you can familiarize yourself with the lower body movement and the handle movement required to spin the board in the air. To get into the slide move the handle across the boat path backside and then in the opposite direction to return to your normal riding position. Next do a simple wake to wake jump but release your back hand and move the handle in the same way to initiate the backside spin. Your first backside airs will probably be small in rotation and you will be able to spin them more as you practice. Make sure to bring your heels up so the passengers in the boat can see the bottom graphics of the board so you are positioned correctly for the backside 360. The nose of the board should be a little lower than the tail of the board as well.

When you are ready to move on to the 360, approach the wake in a seated position using an Ollie edge to keep the line tension low. It is also important to have the mindset to only do a backside air as you approach. Don't think backside 360. This mindset helps you set the axis by initiating the backside air only as you leave the wake and the decision to keep spinning should be made after the backside air is done successfully. This quick decision making is how you set the axis properly.

After setting the axis with the backside air, pass the handle in the small of your back to start the 360. As you finish the first 180 and start the next 180 try to finish with the board first and not your upper body. If you try to bring your upper body around first you may have a tendency to go out the front because finishing with your body first actually moves your upper body towards the boat. You can land this trick crossed up but I suggest trying to get your other hand back on the handle so you can land against the rope. If you land against the rope your shoulders will stay back which also helps resist getting pulled forward on the landing. Landing with two hands also promotes edging on the landing which is yet another element which keeps you back instead of forward.

All right, that about wraps it up for this video, so practice your backside air and consistency on your backside 360's should be right around the corner.